Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of exercise training by using the Nintendo Wii
Fit video game and balance board system on balance and gait in adults with
Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN: A prospective interventional cohort study.
SETTING: An outpatient group exercise class. PARTICIPANTS: Ten subjects with PD,
Hoehn and Yahr stages 2.5 or 3, with a mean age of 67.1 years;
4 men, 6 women.
INTERVENTIONS: The subjects participated in supervised group exercise sessions 3
times per week for 8 weeks by practicing 3 different Wii balance board games
(marble tracking, skiing, and bubble rafting) adjusted for their individualized
function level. The subjects trained for 10 minutes per game, a total of 30
minutes training per session. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Pre-and postexercise
training, a physical therapist evaluated subjects' function by using the Berg
Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Sharpened Romberg with eyes open and
closed. Postural sway was assessed at rest and with tracking tasks by using the
Wii balance board. The subjects rated their confidence in balance by using the
Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale and depression on the Geriatric
Depression Scale. RESULTS: Balance as measured by the Berg Balance Scale improved
significantly, with an increase of 3.3 points (P = .016). The Dynamic Gait Index
improved as well (mean increase, 2.8; P = .004), as did postural sway measured
with the balance board (decreased variance in stance with eyes open by 31%; P =
.049). Although the Sharpened Romberg with eyes closed increased by 6.85 points
and with eyes opened by 3.3 points, improvements neared significance only for
eyes closed (P = .07 versus P = .188). There were no significant changes on
patient ratings for the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (mean decrease,
-1%; P = .922) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (mean increase, 2.2; P = .188).
CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week exercise training class by using the Wii Fit balance board
improved selective measures of balance and gait in adults with PD. However, no
significant changes were seen in mood or confidence regarding balance.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS